Mark Warner

I simply say to my distinguished colleague, before this Senator expresses a view on that, I want to see a new quadrennial review, as well as a new analysis of our strategic system. I will not commit to any numbers at this time until I see…

In the first place, the law of the land is still intact until the Senate and, indeed, the House are in conference and the President signs this bill. At the moment, the law of the land precludes him from doing that. What I am trying to…

What I am saying, practically speaking, is I do not think President Clinton can do it in a judicious and effective way, given the time limitations between now and the end of his term of office.

By his amendment, he wishes to repeal the limitation on retirement or dismantlement of strategic nuclear delivery systems in excess of military requirements. ``Section 1302 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998 is…

I certainly cannot rely on a 1997 review as being up to date. Much has occurred in those 2 years, indeed over 2 years, to where we are today. Let me give one example. The Russians are strapped financially. One of the principal motivations…

The Senator repeatedly says he presumes. I am not here to act on presumptions. What I do know is the realities, and particularly the political realities that face this Nation of an election and a new President. In my opinion, it is the…

I am not here to prejudge that review. I think it was done very carefully. But let me bring to the attention of my distinguished colleague, who spent great heroism in his career in the military himself, you should not try to make a…

There is no constraint on the next President, be it President Bush or President Gore, within which time--I mean it is not next December. He can do it before next December.

It is important as part of this colloquy that we lay the foundation that the Senator was very careful in arriving at his pay levels--not to bump sergeant, or jump over it, which I think was wise. In doing so, would I not be correct in…

The Senator is right, the electronic technician people, and so forth. The second question is--and it is interesting--you were quoting from the future Chief of Naval Operations--indeed, an outstanding professional. He says he would rather…

It is critical that they get higher pay, not only for flight but for retention purposes, than other officer segments. I have to chuckle. In what little military experience I have, I was an electrician's mate third class. I am not sure I…

I have always felt that the backbone of the Navy was the bosun's mate. Yet we find in the Navy that the bosun's mate is the lowest paid, while the electronic technician, the computer specialist, and others, who are of equal rank--or rate…

The sentiments expressed so fervently by those wanting to strike on behalf of our allies? There are 350-plus years of history, going back before World War II, of our steadfast alliance to our allies, and they can anticipate another 50…

That is correct. I say with some dismay, we have been trying to alternate. If the tactic here is to hold those in opposition until the end, I think an element of fairness in this debate may be slipping away.

Underlying this is clearly the readiness issue. It is not just the Kosovo operation, but it is how our troops are spread throughout the world. We are speaking in this amendment to a discipline that could well apply to the next mission…

I say to my colleague, 23 Senators have already taken an action. They voted on it in the Appropriations Committee. They have taken that action. And you go back and count among the 23 those who proudly served in uniform for this country…

I can guarantee, if the facts of the case are so strong and the turbulence so great amongst our NATO allies, then I think this Chamber will act in a responsible way in the best interests of the United States and all those involved. Time…

First, the Byrd-Warner amendment is very carefully drawn so that the next President of the United States in following up with President Clinton's report with the next President's report. It is not required of him to wait until July as is…

Indeed, I say to my colleague, Congress has been inactive on a number of occasions when we sent our troops abroad and expended our taxpayers' money. That is one of the purposes of this bill. To establish a precedent of inaction not…

But I am saying I commit to be the one Senator who requires the Congress to speak on it. So it will not be inaction. Congress will take action. The senior Senator from Virginia will be the one who will come to the floor under this…

I ask the distinguished leader, who came to this body following an earlier distinguished career in the House, is he aware of the overwhelming vote in the House today for basically the principles that are incorporated in the Byrd-Warner…

That is right. Mr. President, their voices, the people's voices, were heard through this House vote today.

I, frankly, would vote for it, if the next President were to come and ask for that and made a strong case. I really think the sky is not falling in, I say to my distinguished friend. We have carefully provided in this piece of legislation…

That is what the amendment requires. In other words, if there is a need, the President has the waiver authority.

Mr. President, in all seriousness, the Senate really was a leader in passing the landmark legislation to modernize America's transportation system. This gas tax was included in that highway fund by 80-plus Senators. It is a foundation…